SCHUMER REVEALS: UPSTATE NEW YORK VA HOSPITALS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR $4 BILLION IN NEW FEDERAL FUNDS FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL FACILITIES; BUT WITH FUNDS NOT YET ALLOCATED, SENATOR MAKES MAJOR PUSH TO DELIVER THEM TO NEW YORK

Schumer: Upstate Veterans Need & Deserve Upgrades At Their Local VA

On the heels of the just-passed bi-partisan federal spending bill that U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer negotiated and President Trump signed into law, Schumer today announced an increased pot of federal dollars - roughly $4 billion - that will be allocated to U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Centers across the country for much-needed and long-delayed repairs. In announcing these new federal dollars for VA facilities, Schumer launched a major effort to call on the Department of Veteran Affairs to send millions of new federal dollars to Upstate New York for dozens of much-needed VA modernization projects.

“Nothing lasts forever, and nothing proves that more than the numerous outdated VA hospitals and clinics in Upstate New York. These crumbling facilities are proof that unless we invest in our outdated VA hospitals, clinics and shelters, veterans will be the ones to bear the burden,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Our veterans have protected and defended us, and when they finish their tour of duty it is our job to care for them. That is why today I’m saying to the VA: don’t make Upstate New York veterans wait any longer; cut the check needed to make the repairs and improvements that will give Upstate New York’s veterans the healthcare and facilities they need and deserve.

Schumer added, “I was proud of the role I played in securing this new federal investment, and now I will work shoulder-to-shoulder with veterans and administrators across New York state to ensure that the facilities that need it most get the funding they deserve.”

Schumer said time is of the essence when it comes to making these much-needed repairs at VA facilities across Upstate New York. Schumer said maintenance upgrades could cost over $500 million, and the new federal funding could support VA facilities across New York State. Schumer said that he worked on the just-passed spending bill with VA facilities in mind and that his effort to increase federal investment in VA medical centers is not only needed in New York State but across the country. Schumer said these vital facilities need federal investment, as ailing facilities could mean life or death for some heroic veterans in Upstate New York.

Schumer said the newly announced federal funding bill includes $4 billion in federal funds to modernize VA facilities across the country including New York. New York is home to millions of veterans, many of whom need access to VA’s services. Schumer said upgrades ranging from heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems upgrades, to the expansion of the Canandaigua VA Medical campus, are all projects VA facilities in New York State need.

A summary of projects that could benefit from increased federal funding below:

o In the Capital Region, there are 3 projects that could be funded, repairs could cost about $31,000,000

o In Central New York there are 16 projects that could be funded, it could cost about $69,338,000.

o In the Rochester – Finger Lakes, specifically Genesee and Ontario County, there are 29 projects that could be funded and could cost $248,660,000.

o In Western New York, specifically Erie County, there are 4 projects that could be funded, it could cost $76,000,000.

o In the Southern Tier, specifically Steuben County, there are 10 projects that could be funded and it could cost $27,965,000.

o In the Hudson Valley, specifically Westchester and Dutchess County, there are 6 projects that could be funded and it could cost between $76,400,000 - $92,400,000.

o In the Mohawk Valley, specifically Oneida County, there are three main projects that could be funded and it could cost $15,175,000.

o In the North Country, specifically Jefferson County, has two lease projects that could be funded, and it could cost $3,821,000.